Our History
Smiling for Smiddy was created to commemorate the life of Adam Smiddy - a young physiotherapist who passed away in August 2006 after a short battle against an aggressive cancer. Adam was just 26 years of age and in the prime of his life.
Mark 'Sharky' Smoothy, a triathlon coach at the University of Queensland, was a great mate of Smiddy. Mark and Adam loved to ride and the two of them often talked about doing a credit card ride - riding for a few days in one direction with nothing other than a credit card in their pockets then catching a bus back to Brisbane. That dream was never realised, hence the idea for the Smiddy Challenge - a 1600 kilometre, 8 day ride ride from Brisbane to Townsville. Mark's aim is to keep the name of Adam Smiddy alive, and to raise much-needed funds for ongoing cancer research.
Since 2006 Smiling for Smiddy has achieved outstanding fundraising success:
- 2006 saw three riders raise $24,000
- 2007 saw 21 riders raise $193,000
- 2008 saw 50 riders raise $419,000
- 2009 saw 50 riders raise $540,000
- 2010 saw $570,000 raised across various events
Smiling for Smiddy has now raised more than $2 million since its initial journey to honour a mate lost to cancer.
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The History of Smiling For Smiddy
Join the fight against cancer with Smiling for Smiddy.
